Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Thursday, 4 December 2014 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
After back-to-back wins against Navy and the Hambantota Sharks, Kandy is favoured to get another one under their belt. However, Kandy is sure not to take Police lightly after they beat CR&FC last weekend.
The upcountry team will be at full strength with South African Chrish Colette playing at his best and almost singlehandedly winning the last two games for Kandy against Navy and Hamabntota.
Kandy also made a bold decision in sending back Fijian Galdano due to poor form. They will be hiring one of the Tongan national wingers Koto Ponto who will be in Kandy in time for their last game against CH&FC on January 3.
All these were possible due to the efforts of the rugby promoter and trustee of the club Malik Samarawickrema. Kandy turned around things after Malik’s arrival in 1992. Malik played for Royal and CR&FC as a scrum half.
The Kandyans are headed by national skipper Fazil Marija with Pradeep Liyanage, Lavanga Perera, Nigel Ratwatte, Anurudha Wilwara and Kenyan Sevens star Oscar Ouma in peak form. In fact Oscar has been one of the best defenders on the Kandy team. The encounter will be officiated by an overseas referee.
The weekend’s proceedings will start with the Army-Havies game on 5 December at race course. This game should be a close one with Havies having the edge with some outstanding players in their ranks such as Shehan Pathirana, Mithun Hapugoda, Sandun Herath, Mohamed Sheriff and Dhanushka Ranjan. Havies are celebrating their centenary year and would want to grab a trophy this year. This game too will be refereed by an overseas official.
On 7 December Navy will be at Ratmalana playing Air Force with the sailors likely to have things their way. Dinka Peries will officiate the game. On the same day CH&FC will host the Hambantota Sharks with Aruna Rankothge refereeing the game.
